Our press team loves working with journalists to help create compelling, unique stories. We have content creators, and former journalists on our team who understand what you need to create a great story. We also have a lot of depth in our organization to offer.

Media Contact:  Danielle Emerson, communications@transcendthebinary.org, 586-322-1463

Transcend the Binary is a trans/gender non-conforming (TGNC) led organization operates out of of Affirmations, the largest LGBTQIA center in Michigan. Our team of pharmacists, doctor, social workers, therapists and peer advocates are dedicated to providing our community, and their families, with one-on-one support and resources that empower confidence and resilience to move forward. Our full suite of supportive services include peer support, family support, transition planning/goal-setting, referral services (personalized connections with doctors, surgeons, therapists), as well as individually customized health & wellness goal-setting (with our certified fitness trainers). 

In addition to these direct services, we also advocate through education efforts. We have presented numerous professional presentations, lectured at universities, created tailored pharmacy trainings, as well as ally trainings and cultural sensitivity workshops. Transcend has conducted two community-led research initiatives with the University of Michigan, exploring the stress, burden and coping responses as we worry about discrimination in our daily lives (Finding Our Strength – 2016) as well as are in progress developing the first baseline health report for the state (Michigan Trans Health Survey – 2019 expected completion). Transcend is also launching the first state-wide Trans Advisory Board.

 

Our founder, Darnell Jones (Rph) began serving the TGNC community as a community pharmacist, by providing health information in 2012. Transcend the Binary was the next iteration of this effort, established in 2015, with help from Brayden Misiolek (co-founder), to formalize a community-led model of programming and service development. After rebuilding the Transcend team in 2016, after the loss of our founder to cancer, our team has grown to 14+ members with the support of many more contributions from our community. Transcend has pioneered research initiatives, and leads with a community-informed approach.

Our physician, Dr. Schmidt, travels to the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City to provide needed healthcare services there, and is otherwise located out of Keego Harbor (Center for Transforming Health).

Transcend the Binary operates out of Affirmations, the largest LGBTQI center in Michigan, and also the first major LGBT agency to be led by a Latinx transwoman of color, Lilianna Reyes, who we proudly support.

Affirmations is located at 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 484220.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Transcend the Binary
October 25, 2018

Contact: Danielle Emerson, communications@transcendthebinary.org, 586-322-1463
Transcend the Binary Supports Trans Rights Solidarity Rally at Ruth Ellis
FERNDALE – The following is a statement from Transcend the Binary on its support for the We Won’t Be Erased Rally set for Friday, October 26 at 1 p.m. This statement can be attributed to Brayden Misiolek, co-founder of Transcend the Binary.

“If this administration thinks it can write trans, non-binary, and non-conforming folx out of existence, it should think again. Our community is strong, resilient and not swayed by such attacks over our existence, and we refuse to be silent. Transcend the Binary was founded on the idea of empowerment through community. We will stand strong with our friends and allies for this event and every day, because the way of our community is to preach love, not hate and prejudice.”
BACKGROUND:
The We Won’t Be Erased Rally comes in response to reports about a memo from the Trump administration considering narrowly defining gender as the assigned “sex” at birth that is an immutable, unchanging condition. Doing so rolls back back any protections transgender people may have obtained under the Obama administration.
The rally, led by activists Michelle Fox-Phillips and Jey’nce Mizrahi, will take place at Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park beginning at 1 p.m.
Transcend the Binary – a trans-led organization which works to improve healthcare for the TGNC community and empower them through various peer support programs – is lending its support for the rally, alongside Equality Michigan, Trans Sistas of Color Project, Women’s March Michigan, Metro-Detroit Political Action Network, the Gender-Identity Network Alliance (GNA), Transgender Michigan, Stand with Trans, Transgender Michigan (TGMI), TG Detroit, and Affirmations.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News from Transcend the Binary

May 31, 2018

Contact : Danielle Emerson, 586-322-1463, communications@transcendthebinary.org

*** Media Advisory ***

Transcend the Binary Debuts ‘Finding Our Strength’ Galley at Affirmations

Gallery spotlights discrimination, need for affirming healthcare and coping from t/gnc viewpoint

FERNDALE—Transcend the Binary, a trans-led nonprofit that seeks to empower the transgender and non-conforming community (t/gnc) through access to affirming care, resources, research and education is hosting a launch party debuting responses from more than 300 community members about daily life and their resilience to overcome discrimination, barriers to employment, limited access to affirming care, and more.

Nearly 70% of respondents said they had avoided social situations and places because of fear of discrimination, and nearly 90% avoided going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary. Even so, nearly 90% talked to someone about how they were feeling – something that the exhibit shows has a major impact on their overall mental health.

Members of the research team for the survey, Finding Our Strengthwill be on-site to discuss findings, as will members of Transcend’s Care Team to talk about the impact the survey could have on improving overall health for the t/gnc community and the need for better access to affirming healthcare.

The launch party will also feature artists, performers, poets and other creatives from the t/gnc community. The exhibit will be featured in the Pittmann-Puckett gallery at Affirmations in Ferndale through August 31.

WHO: Transcend the Binary, allies and community members

WHAT: Launch party for Finding Our Strength exhibit

WHEN: Thursday, May 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Affirmations, 290 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News from Transcend the Binary

May 29, 2018

Contact: Danielle Emerson, 586-322-1463, communications@transcendthebinary.org

Transcend the Binary Re-Launches ‘Finding Our Strength’ Exhibit for Ferndale Pride

Gallery showcases daily struggles, coping mechanisms of trans and non-conforming communities

FERNDALE—Transcend the Binary, a trans-led nonprofit working toward better health outcomes for the transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) communities, will host a launch party for its redesigned research-meets-art gallery exhibition, just in time for Ferndale Pride.

The exhibit features responses from Finding Our Strength, a survey in which more than 300 people within the community discussed daily stressors and showed resilience in the face of adversity. For example, nearly 70% of respondents avoided social situations and places because of fear of discrimination, but nearly 90% talked to someone about how they were feeling and 78% said they worked harder to prove others wrong.

“We’re honored Affirmations has asked us back, and we’re excited to show our work during a time like Pride, when members of the community and our allies come together to celebrate authenticity, the accomplishments of the people before us and the work ahead toward equality,” said Brayden Misiolek, co-founder of Transcend the Binary. “We believe the responses from Finding Our Strength embody that spirit. They show a genuine need for an affirming health system and supports for our community, but also the will of our community to dedicate themselves to a path of authenticity regardless of circumstance.”

The exhibit first debuted in November 2017 but has been revamped to be more visually appealing. In addition to interactive elements and portraits of the community throughout the exhibit, the launch party will also feature music, art, and poetry from community members. More information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

WHO: Transcend the Binary, allies and community members

WHAT: Launch party for the redesigned Finding Our Strength exhibit

WHEN: Thursday, May 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Affirmations, 290 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

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